Brake pads

mdrburchette · Post by **mdrburchette** » Wed Apr 04, 2007 4:45 pm

I've got three questions regarding brake pads:

What kind would be best for spirited driving? The originals seem to fade pretty quickly.

Should I be concerned with the front and back or just the front brakes?

Is it hard to replace them...something a nonmechanical female can do in two weeks if she is diligent?

So Cal Mark · Post by **So Cal Mark** » Wed Apr 04, 2007 6:34 pm

Denise
I'd bet you could change the pads with your eyes closed! I've heard good things about the EBC pads. If you use a full competition pad on the street you'll have a hard time getting them hot enough to work properly.

mdrburchette · Post by **mdrburchette** » Wed Apr 04, 2007 8:17 pm

Have you tried the Fedoro pads, Mark? It seems they're more readily available. I"m putting them on my 71 that I'm going to use for my performance driving school in May.
As far as installing them with my eyes closed, I wish! Where have you been when I post all of my stupid mechanical moves?

So Cal Mark · Post by **So Cal Mark** » Thu Apr 05, 2007 12:05 am

I haven't used Ferodo pads, but they've been a top quality pad for as long as I remember. Back when I was racing, most everyone used them

mbouse · Post by **mbouse** » Thu Apr 05, 2007 12:26 pm

I know you know this, but just don't forget that the rear caliper pistons need to be screwed in....not pushed in.

mdrburchette · Post by **mdrburchette** » Thu Apr 05, 2007 1:20 pm

Ferodo pads it will be...at least until I install the Whoa brake kit.
Thanks for the reminder, Mike.

124cso · Post by **124cso** » Fri Apr 13, 2007 1:24 am

Sounds like you're sorted, but I thought I'd make a mention of "Silverline" pads. UTTER EFFing CRAP !
Don't touch them. I put a set on my Mitsi. first time they got used on any hard work, I virtually ran out of brakes, faded terribly AND DID NOT RECOVER even when allowed to cool off
Yes they went back and I demanded my money back.

mdrburchette · Post by **mdrburchette** » Fri Apr 13, 2007 5:54 am

That's scary! I've only had one instance where my brakes faded on the Fiat. It was during the Moonshine Rally last year, going down a steep, twisty mountain. It wasn't fun.
My pads will be here later today so I'll have all week to get used to driving the car without a brake booster

E Prod Racer · Post by **E Prod Racer** » Fri Apr 13, 2007 10:10 pm

Another very good pad is the HAWK Brake HPS Compound. This is a good pad for street and track lapping days. This is actually a rear pad for the Mazda RX-7. This is a low dust, and rotor friendly pad. The stock number is #HB158F.515, and is available from Tire Rack.

For racing use, use the same pad in the HAWK Blue compound. That is the pad I race with (no option for aftermarket brakes in SCCA), and it transforms the brakes on a FIAT. No fade. The minus is that they are high dust, and rotor aggressive. But, given you can buy the rotors for as littel as $15 each, who cares, as long as you can stop.

I would stay away from the EBCs in any color. Compared to the HAWK, they're just not a very good pad - very aggressive to the rotors, and prone to glazing, and de-lamination.

mdrburchette · Post by **mdrburchette** » Sat Apr 14, 2007 5:50 am

Thanks for the info, Bill. I heard the Hawk pad was impressive, but didn't know about the EBC.

Mark, you were wrong! I'm stuck trying to get that little angled blocking plate between the caliper and spring...and I even tried it with my eyes closed.

I have the bottom one in with the cotter pins in place, but the top one will not go in. Is there a trick to this?

So Cal Mark · Post by **So Cal Mark** » Sat Apr 14, 2007 10:14 am

use a flat bladed screwdriver in-between the caliper and the bracket to pry the caliper down against the spring, then you can start the wedge in. It can be tapped into place easily. Remember, those slides should be very clean and caliper grease should be applied in that area. Those pieces need to move easily when the brakes are applied

mdrburchette · Post by **mdrburchette** » Sat Apr 14, 2007 3:36 pm

Thanks Mark. I went to the shop today and found Robert had put it on for me....probably wanted the car out of the shop for his truck. I just finished the right side with no problems at all. That was easier than replacing the starter!